| Aug 12 2024 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Abundance of Moisture Drives Yield Up |
Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year 2024/25 is estimated at 16.0 million metric tons,
up 10 percent from last month and 32 percent from last year. Total wheat yield is estimated at 1.23
tons per hectare, up 12 percent from last month and 33 percent from last year. Total harvested area
is estimated at 13.0 million hectares, down 2 percent from last month and 1 percent from last year. (For more information, please contact Iliana.Mladenova@usda.gov.)
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| Nov 9 2023 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Wet Weather Further Threatens Harvest |
Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is estimated at 12.0 million metric
tons, down 8 percent from last month and 27 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 0.88
metric tons per hectare, down 8 percent from last month and 31 percent from last year. Harvested
area is estimated at 13.6 million hectares, unchanged from last month and up 6 percent from last
year. (For more information, please contact Iliana.Mladenova@usda.gov.)
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| Oct 12 2023 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Production Decreased Due to Unfavorable Weather |
Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 is estimated at 13.0 million metric tons (mmt), down 13 percent from last month and 21 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 0.96 tons per hectare, down 13 percent from last month and 25 percent from last year. Harvested area is estimated at 13.6 million hectares (mha), unchanged from last month and up 6 percent from last year. (For more information, please contact Iliana.Mladenova@usda.gov.)
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| Mar 8 2023 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Yield-Driven Production Increase Due to Favorable Weather |
Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year 2022/23 is estimated at 16.4 million metric tons
(mmt), up 17 percent from last month and 39 percent from last year. Wheat yield is estimated at
1.28 tons per hectare (t/ha), up 16 percent from last month and 38 percent from last year. Harvested
area is estimated at 12.8 million hectares (mha), up less than 1 percent from last month and from
last year. (For more information, please contact
Iliana.Mladenova@usda.gov.)
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| Nov 9 2022 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Increased Production Driven by Favorable Weather |
USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year 2022/23 at 14.0 million metric
tons, up 8 percent from last month and 19 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 1.10 tons
per hectare, up 8 percent from last month and 18 percent from last year. Harvested area is estimated
at 12.8 million hectares, unchanged last month and slightly up from last year. (For more information, please contact
Iliana.Mladenova@usda.gov.)
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| Jul 12 2022 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Favorable Early Spring Crop Prospects |
USDA forecasts Kazakhstan wheat production at 13.0 million metric tons for marketing year (MY)
2022/23. This is a 10 percent increase relative to the drought-stricken MY 2021/22 crop.
Harvested area is estimated at 12.5 million hectares, 2 percent lower than last year. Yield is
forecast at 1.04 tons per hectare, 12 percent higher than last year. About 80 percent of
Kazakhstan wheat is produced in the north-central oblasts of Qostanay, Aqmola, and
North Kazakhstan. USDA specialists recently traveled through this region and met with local
producers, agronomists, and industry representatives to assess the wheat-production prospects
for the current year. (For more information, please contact
Iliana.Mladenova@usda.gov or Katie.McGaughey@usda.gov.)
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| Oct 12 2021 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Intense Heat and Below-Average Rainfall During Key Growth Stages
Drops Yield |
Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year 2021/22 is forecast at 12.0 million metric tons
(mmt), down 4 percent from last month and down 16 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at
0.94 tons per hectare, down 4 percent from last month and down 20 percent from last year. Area
harvested is estimated at 12.7 million hectares, unchanged from last month and up 5 percent from
last year. (For more information, please
contact Katie.McGaughey@usda.gov.)
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| Aug 12 2021 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Intense Heat in the Spring Wheat Oblasts Drops Yields |
Kazakhstan wheat production for marketing year 2021/22 is forecast at 12.5 million metric tons
(mmt), down 4 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Yield is forecast at
0.98 tons per hectare, down 9 percent from last month and down 17 percent from last year.
Harvested area is estimated at 12.7 million hectares, up 6 percent from last month and up 5 percent
from last year. (For more information, please contact
Katie.McGaughey@usda.gov.)
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| Feb 9 2021 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Increased Production Based on Official Data |
USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2020/21 at 14.3 million metric tons, up 14
percent from last month, and up 24 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 1.18 tons per
hectare, up 11 percent from last month, and up 17 percent from last year. Harvested are is estimated
at 12.1 million hectares, up 2 percent from last month, and up 7 percent from last year. (For more information, please contact
Katie.McGaughey@usda.gov.)
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| Aug 12 2020 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Deteriorating Conditions in the Spring Wheat Oblasts Drop Yields |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2020/21 is estimated at 12.5 million metric tons (mmt), down 7
percent from last month but up 9 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 1.06 tons per hectare,
down 12 percent from last month but up 5 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 11.8 mha,
up 5 percent from last month and up 4 percent from last year. (For more information, please contact
Katie.McGaughey@usda.gov.)
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| Sep 12 2019 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Decreased Sown Area and Poor Conditions in Kostanai Drop Area and Yield |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2019/20 is estimated at 11.5 million metric tons (mmt), down 12
percent from last month and down 18 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 1.02 tons per
hectare, down 10 percent from last month and down 17 percent from last year. Area is estimated
at 11.3 million hectares, down 1 percent from last month and last year based on final sown area
data released by the State Statistical Agency. (For more
information, please contact
Katie.McGaughey@fas.usda.gov.)
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| Aug 12 2019 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Yields Drop Due to Deteriorating Conditions in Kostanai |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2019/20 is forecast at 13.0 million metric tons (mmt), down 7
percent from last month and from last year. Yield is forecast at 1.14 tons per hectare, down 7
percent from last month and from last year. Area is estimated unchanged at 11.4 million hectares. (For more information, please contact
Katie.McGaughey@fas.usda.gov.)
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| Sep 12 2018 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Estimated Production Increased by 0.5 Million Tons |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2018/19 is estimated at 15.0 million metric tons (mmt), up 0.5
mmt from last month and up 0.2 mmt from last year. The month-to-month increase is based on
favorable conditions in most of the main spring wheat region throughout the growing season.
The estimated harvested area decreased to 11.2 million hectares (mha), down 0.3 mha from last
month and down 0.7 mha from last year based on final sown area data from the State Statistical
Agency. Wheat area has been declining for the past ten years, while the area planted to oilseeds
and feed grains has been increasing. (For more information, please contact
Mark.Lindeman@fas.usda.gov.)
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| Aug 10 2018 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Favorable Conditions Boost the Production Forecast |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2018/19 is estimated at 14.5 million metric tons (mmt), up 0.5
mmt from last month but down 0.3 mmt from last year. The month-to-month increase is based
on continued favorable conditions for spring crops in most areas of north-central Kazakhstan,
which is the main production zone for wheat. Yield is forecast at 1.26 metric tons per hectare,
up 4 percent from last month, up 1 percent from last year, and 9 percent above the 5-year
average. Spring wheat accounts for about 95 percent of the country’s wheat output, and 85
percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories in north-central Kazakhstan: Akmola,
Kostanai, and North Kazakhstan. The harvest of spring wheat will begin in September. (For
more information, please contact Mark.Lindeman@fas.usda.gov.)
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| Aug 10 2017 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Favorable Conditions Boost Estimated Production |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2017/18 is estimated at 14.0 million metric tons (mmt), up 1.0
mmt from last month but down 1.0
mmt from last year. The month-tomonth
increase is based on
excellent growing conditions in the
main production zone. Yield is
forecast at 1.22 metric tons per
hectare, up 8 percent from last
month, slightly above last year’s
level, and 14 percent above the 5-
year average. Conditions for wheat
in north-central Kazakhstan, the
country’s main production zone,
have been favorable throughout the
growing season. NDVI indicate
high potential yield (but not record
yield) for spring wheat, which
accounts for about 95 percent of the country’s wheat output. Harvest will begin in late August or
early September.
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| Feb 9 2017 | Kazakhstan Wheat and Barley: Preliminary Harvest Data Released |
USDA estimate for 2016/17 Kazakhstan wheat production is reduced by 9 percent from last
month while estimated barley output is increased to a record level. Both changes are based on
preliminary harvest data released by the Kazakhstan State Statistical Agency (SSA) in early February. Wheat output is estimated at 15.0 million metric tons (mmt), compared to 16.5 mmt
last month and 13.7 mmt last year. Barley production is estimated at 3.2 mmt against 2.7 mmt
last month and 2.7 mmt last year. The month-to-month changes for both crops were driven by
changes in the estimated yield: a 12-percent decrease for wheat and a 17-percent increase for
barley
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| Nov 9 2016 | Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan Wheat: Record or Near-Record Yields Reported |
With the 2016 wheat harvest essentially complete, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan are all
reporting record yields or record production. Above-average rainfall during the growing season,
however, likely had a negative effect on wheat quality in all three countries.
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| Sep 12 2016 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Statistical Agency Reports First Area Increase Since 2009 |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2016/17 is estimated at 16.5 million metric tons (mmt), up 1.5
mmt from last month and up 2.8 mmt from last year. The estimated yield is essentially
unchanged from last month at 1.38 tons per hectare, 16 percent above last year, 23 percent above
the 5-year average, and second only to the record 1.66 tons per hectare reported for 2011/12.
Conditions for spring wheat have been favorable throughout the growing season in north-central
Kazakhstan (including Kostanai, North Kazakhstan, and Akmola territories, which together
account for 80 to 85 percent of the country’s total wheat output).
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| Aug 12 2016 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Yield Estimated at the Highest Level in Five Years |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2016/17 is estimated at 15.0 million tons (mmt), up 2.0 mmt
from last month and up 1.3 mmt from last year. The month-to-month increase is based on an
increase in estimated yield. Conditions for spring wheat in north-central Kazakhstan (including
Kostanai, North Kazakhstan, and Akmola territories, which together account for 80 to 85 percent
of the country’s total wheat output) have been favorable throughout the growing season.
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| Jul 10 2015 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Output Forecast to Increase from Last Year Despite Lower Area |
USDA forecasts Kazakhstan wheat
production for 2015/16 at 13.5 million
tons, up 1.0 million tons from last month
and up 0.5 million from last year. The
increase is based on continued aboveaverage
precipitation, which has boosted
the forecast yield to 1.17 tons per
hectare, up 8.0 percent from last month,
up 7.7 percent from last year, and 9.6
percent above the 5-year average.
Harvested area is estimated at 11.5
million hectares against 11.9 million last
year. A small portion of the area planted
to wheat typically remains unharvested at
the end of the season due to drought
during the summer or unfavorable weather during the harvest campaign. USDA’s harvested-area
forecast of 11.5 million hectares for
2015/16 is based on the average
abandonment rate of 3 percent.
Kazakhstan wheat area has
decreased by about 20 percent since
2009 due in part to a government
policy encouraging agricultural
enterprises to diversify their output
by reducing wheat area and
increasing the area sown to oilseeds
and other feed crops. Between
2009 and 2014, the area planted to
wheat decreased by 2.4 million hectares, from 14.8 to 12.4 million
hectares. During the same time, oilseeds area increased by 1.5 million hectares, from 0.8 to 2.3
million, and forage-crop area increased by 1.0 million hectares, from 2.3 to 3.3 million. (For
more information, please contact Mark.Lindeman@fas.usda.gov.)
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| Dec 10 2014 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Planted Area Higher than Earlier Estimated |
USDA has boosted its estimate of
2014/15 Kazakhstan wheat
production to 12.5 million tons, up
0.5 million tons from last month.
The increase is based on detailed
data released by the State Statistical
Agency (SSA), indicating that final
sown wheat area was lower than last
year but higher than earlier estimated
by USDA. The harvested area is
estimated by USDA at 12.2 million
hectares, up 0.5 million from last
month but down 0.8 million from
last year. The final sown area was
reported by SSA at 12.4 million
hectares, but every season a portion
of Kazakhstan’s planted area remains
unharvested, usually due to either severe drought during the growing season or unfavorable
weather during the later stages of the harvest. Over the past 15 years, annual abandonment has
ranged from 1 to 8 percent. Abandonment for 2014/15 is estimated by USDA at about 1.5
percent, up slightly from last year. The estimated yield is essentially unchanged from last month
at 1.02 tons per hectare, down 4.8 percent from last year and 6.1 percent below the 5-year
average.
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| Nov 10 2014 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Harvest Reports Suggest Curtailed Harvest |
USDA forecasts Kazakhstan wheat production for 2014/15 at 12.0 million tons, down 0.5 million
tons or 4.0 percent from last month and down 1.9 million or 14 percent from last year.
Harvested area is estimated at 11.7 million hectares, down 0.5 million from last month and down
1.3 million from last year. Yield is estimated at 1.03 tons per hectare, essentially unchanged
from last month, down 4.7 percent from last year, and 6.9 percent below the 5-year average. The
decrease in estimated output is based on daily data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicating
that harvest operations are winding down in the three major wheat-producing territories, with as
much as 10 percent of the sown area still unharvested. Crop development was delayed this
season due in part to unusually cool, wet weather during July. As a result, the harvest campaign
began later than usual. The harvest was further complicated by wet weather in October,
including snow at the end of the month. Ministry reports indicate that cumulative total-grain
yield as of November 4 is down about 5 percent from last year. Wheat accounts for
approximately 75 percent of total grain output in Kazakhstan.
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| Aug 12 2013 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Outstanding Yield Prospects in the Main Production Zone |
USDA forecasts Kazakhstan wheat production for 2013/14 at 17.0 million tons, up 2.5 million
tons or 17 percent from last month and up 7.2 million tons or 73 percent from last year.
Harvested area is estimated at 12.5 million hectares against 12.4 million last year. Yield is
estimated at 1.36 tons per hectare, up 17 percent from last month and up 72 percent from last
year. Spring wheat accounts for about 95 percent of the country’s total wheat output, and about
85 percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories in north-central Kazakhstan. Yield
prospects are high following generous July rainfall. The amount of total precipitation from April
through July was among the highest in the past 20 years, and conditions in the key production
region were favorable as the wheat crop advanced through the critical flowering stage in mid- to
late July. The spring-wheat harvest typically begins in late August and is largely complete by
the end of September.
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| Jul 11 2014 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Dry Weather Reduces Yield Prospects |
USDA forecasts 2014/15 Kazakhstan wheat production at 13.5 million tons, down 1.0 million or
6.9 percent from last month and down 0.4 million or 3.2 percent from last year. Harvested area
is estimated at 12.7 million hectares against 13.0 million last year. The decrease in estimated
output is based on a reduction in the forecast yield due to three months of persistent dryness in
north-central Kazakhstan, the country’s main wheat-production zone. The reported cumulative
precipitation from the beginning of April through the end of June is less than half of normal, and
satellite-derived evapotranspiration data indicate severe crop stress during the month of June as
spring grains were advancing through the vegetative growth stage. Yield is forecast at 1.06 tons
per hectares, down 6.9 percent from last month, down 1.2 percent from last year, and 2.6 percent
below the 5-year average. Kazakhstan wheat enters the critical flowering stage in mid- to late
July, and July weather typically plays a key role in determining final yield.
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| Feb 8 2013 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Harvest Falls Almost 13 Million Tons From Last Year |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2012/13 at 9.8 million tons, down 0.7 million from last month and down 12.9 million from last year. Harvested area is estimated at 12.4 million hectares against 13.7 million last year, and yield is estimated at 0.79 tons per hectare, down 52 percent from last year and 32 percent lower than the 5-year average. The month-to-month revision is based on final harvest data released by the Kazakhstan State Statistical Agency (SSA) in January. Spring wheat comprises about 95 percent of Kazakhstan’s total wheat output. Severe drought in north-central Kazakhstan, the country’s main wheat-production region, had an enormous impact on yield in 2012. The yield, however, was slightly higher than in 2010, which was also marked by devastating summer drought. The output reported by the SSA for 2012/13 was considerably lower than preliminary harvest-progress data from the Ministry of Agriculture were indicating. In November, Ministry officials pegged wheat production at approximately 11.2 million tons according to yield data reported by regional agricultural authorities, but the final SSA number was about 12 percent lower than the Ministry estimate. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Aug 10 2012 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Harvest Forecast to Drop to Half of Last Year’s Level |
The USDA forecasts Kazakhstan 2011/12 wheat production at 11.0 million tons, down 2.0 million or 15 percent from last month and down 11.7 million or 52 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 13.5 million hectares against 13.8 million last year, and yield is estimated at 0.81 tons per hectare (t/ha) compared to 0.96 t/ha last month, 1.64 t/ha last year, and the 5-year average of 1.14 t/ha. The month-to-month revision is based on persistently excessive heat and dryness in two of the country’s three main wheat-producing territories. Spring wheat comprises about 95 percent of Kazakhstan’s total wheat output.Satellite-derived vegetative indices (NDVI) indicate that current spring-grain conditions are only slightly better than in 2010, when yield plunged to a 12-year low. Temperatures in the main spring-wheat zone were excessively high throughout the first three weeks of July, when grains were advancing through the flowering stage. Moreover, precipitation has been substantially below normal throughout the growing season in Kostanai and Akmola oblasts. Only in North Kazakhstan oblast has wheat benefited from timely rainfall, and NDVI indicate higher yield prospects in North Kazakhstan than in Kostanai or Akmola. A crop assessment team from the U.S. embassy in Astana is currently traveling throughout north-central Kazakhstan, where most of the country’s wheat is produced. The team’s observations are consistent with the weather and NDVI data: yield prospects in North Kazakhstan oblast are substantially higher than in Kostanai oblast, and farmers attribute this to timely rainfall. Overall wheat conditions, however, are generally poor, with fields marked by short plants and thin stands. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Jan 12 2012 | Kazakhstan: Wheat Production Surpasses Record |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan 2011/12 wheat production at 22.5 million tons, up 1.5 million or 7 percent from last month, and up 12.8 million or 132 percent from last year. The harvest surpassed the previous record of 22.2 million tons, set in 1979 when sown area was nearly 25 percent higher. Area for 2011/12 is estimated at 13.8 million hectares against 14.5 million last year. Yield is estimated at a record 1.63 tons per hectare (t/ha) compared to 1.52 t/ha last month, 0.67 t/ha last year, and the 5-year average of 1.02 t/ha. The month-to-month revision is based on preliminary data from the State Statistical Agency. The main wheat-production region benefited from outstanding weather throughout the growing season. Wheat typically comprises about 80 to 85 percent of Kazakhstan’s total grain production. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Nov 9 2011 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Production is Estimated to Reach Highest Level in Over 30 Years |
The USDA forecasts Kazakhstan 2011/12 wheat production at 21.0 million tons, up 2.0 million or 11 percent from last month, and up 11.3 million or 116 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 13.8 million hectares compared to 14.5 million last year. Yield is forecast at 1.52 tons per hectare (t/ha) compared to 1.38 t/ha last month, 0.67 t/ha last year, and the 5-year average of 1.02 t/ha. The upward revision in production is based on harvest reports from the Ministry of Agriculture indicating record crop yield. The wheat crop in the major production region benefited from above-average precipitation and favorable temperatures throughout the growing season, and satellite-derived vegetative indices indicated outstanding crop conditions. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that the harvest was complete by the end of October, with output reported at 29.5 million tons in bunker-weight (prior to cleaning and drying) and yield up 103 percent from last year. Net weight can range from 84 to 92 percent of bunker weight. Wheat typically comprises about 80 to 85 percent of Kazakhstan’s total grain production. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Oct 12 2011 | Kazakhstan: Wheat Production Estimated to Reach Highest Level in Over 30 Years |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan 2011/12 wheat production at 19 million tons, up 3 million or 19 percent from last month, and up 9.3 million or 96 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 13.8 million hectares, down 0.2 million from last month based on preliminary data from the Ministry of Agriculture. Yield is estimated at 1.38 tons per hectare (t/ha) compared to 1.14 t/ha last month, 0.67 t/ha last year, and the five year average of 1.02 t/ha. The wheat crop in the major production region benefited from above-average precipitation throughout the growing season.Spring wheat occupies 80 percent of the grain area in Kazakhstan, and about 75 percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories (oblasts) in north-central Kazakhstan: Akmola, Kostanai, and North Kazakhstan. North Kazakhstan oblast typically accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of the country’s wheat output, Akmola for 20 to 25 percent, and Kostanai for 25 to 30 percent. Virtually none of the wheat in Kazakhstan is irrigated and yield can fluctuate sharply from year to year depending on the weather.Data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that total-grain harvest was 87 percent complete as of October 3 with yield up 85 percent from the same date last year. On September 26, the Ministry of Agriculture estimated 2011/12 total bunker-weight grain production would reach at least 25 million tons (prior to cleaning and drying). This translates to approximately 22.5 million tons net weight compared to the October USDA total-grain estimate of about 22.9 million tons. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Aug 12 2011 | Kazakhstan Wheat: High Yield Prospects Following Beneficial Rainfall |
The USDA forecasts Kazakhstan 2011/12 wheat production at 16.0 million tons, up 1.0 million or 7 percent from last month. Area is estimated at 14.0 million hectares against 14.5 million last year. Yield is forecast at 1.14 tons per hectare (t/ha) compared to 1.07 t/ha last month, 0.67 t/ha last year, and the 5-year average of 1.02 t/ha. The wheat crop in the major production region has benefited from above-average precipitation throughout the growing season, and satellite-derived vegetative indices indicate outstanding crop conditions.Spring wheat occupies 80 percent of the grain area in Kazakhstan and about 75 percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories (oblasts) in north-central Kazakhstan: Akmola, Kostanai and North Kazakhstan. North Kazakhstan oblast typically accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of the country’s wheat output, Akmola for 20 to 25 percent, and Kostanai for 25 to 30 percent. Virtually none of the wheat in Kazakhstan is irrigated and yield can fluctuate sharply from year to year depending on the weather. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Jan 12 2011 | Kazakhstan: Wheat Harvest Drops by 43 Percent from Last Year |
Severe drought in Kazakhstan's main grain production region sharply reduced grain output for 2010/11. The USDA estimates wheat production at 9.7 million tons, down 1.3 million or 12 percent from last month, and down 7.3 million or 43 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 14.5 million hectares against 14.7 million last year. Yield is estimated at 0.67 tons per hectare (t/ha) compared to 1.16 t/ha last year and the 5-year average of 1.07 t/ha. The month-to-month change in estimated production is based on preliminary harvest data released by the State Statistical Agency of Kazakhstan.Spring wheat occupies 80 percent of the grain area in Kazakhstan, and about 75 percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories (oblasts) in north-central Kazakhstan: Akmola, Kostanai, and North Kazakhstan. North Kazakhstan oblast typically accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of the country's wheat output, Akmola for 20 to 25 percent, and Kostanai for 25 to 30 percent. Although agricultural technology (including the use of moisture-saving technology) has improved significantly in recent years, virtually none of the wheat in Kazakhstan is irrigated and yield can fluctuate sharply from year to year depending on the weather. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Jul 12 2010 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Withering Drought in Main Wheat Production Zone |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2010/11 is forecast at 14.0 million tons, down 3.0 million or 18 percent from both last month and last year. Area is estimated at 14.6 million hectares against 14.7 million last year, and yield is forecast at 0.96 tons per hectare, 10 percent below the 5-year average. Severe drought has sharply reduced crop-production prospects in Kazakhstan's main grain region. Precipitation for the current growing season is the lowest in the past 10 years. Late-June MODIS satellite-derived vegetative indices indicate the lowest values since 2000 (i.e.,the lowest on record).Spring wheat occupies 80 percent of the grain area in Kazakhstan, and about 75 percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories (oblasts) in north-central Kazakhstan: Akmola, Kostanai, and North Kazakhstan. North Kazakhstan oblast typically accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of the country's wheat output, Akmola for 20 to 25 percent, and Kostanai for 25 to 30 percent. During the past five to ten years, agricultural technology in Kazakhstan has benefited from the growth of large agro-holding companies. These are umbrella companies that provide operating capital to individual enterprises under their management. Agricultural enterprises have benefited also from government-subsidized prices for fuel, seed, fertilizer, and chemicals. The State pays approximately 40 percent of the cost of these materials. The use of moisture-saving technology (minimum tillage) has increased from 5.0 million hectares in 2007 to 10.3 million hectares last year. Grain producers maintain that moisture-saving technology reduces yield loss in the event of drought and reduces the need for clean fallow in the crop rotation. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Nov 10 2009 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Bumper Crop Reported Despite Early-Season Dryness |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2009/10 is estimated at 17.0 million tons, up 2.0 million or 13 percent from last month and up 4.5 million or 35 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 14.7 million hectares against 13.5 million last year. Yield is estimated at an above-average 1.16 tons per hectare, up 24 percent from last year. Spring wheat occupies 80 percent of the grain area in Kazakhstan, and about 75 percent of the spring wheat is grown in three territories (oblasts) in north-central Kazakhstan: Akmola, Kostanai, and North Kazakhstan. The wheat harvest was virtually complete by early October, and official reports indicate that the wheat crop made a remarkable recovery following a unpromising start. According to a senior agricultural official, total grain production reached 20 million tons, up about 30 percent from last year. North Kazakhstan oblast typically accounts for about 25 to 30 percent of the country's wheat output, Akmola for 20 to 25 percent, and Kostanai for 25 to 30 percent. Kazakhstan's agricultural sector has benefited from the growth of large agro-holding companies. An agroholding company typically operates as an umbrella company for numerous agricultural enterprises, providing operating capital and marketing channels for commodities produced on the individual enterprises. Agro-holding companies control over half of the grain area in Kazakhstan. Agricultural technology in Kazakhstan has shown steady improvement over the past five years as a direct result of government- subsidized prices for fuel, seed, fertilizer, and chemicals. The State pays approximately 40 percent of the cost of these materials. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at (202) 690-0143 or lindeman@fas.usda.gov).
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| Jul 10 2009 | Kazakhstan: Higher Sown Area Boosts Wheat Forecast for 2009/10 |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2009/10 at 14.5 million tons, up 0.5 million or 4 percent from last month and up 2.0 million or 16 percent from last year. Estimated area is increased to 14.2 million hectares, compared to 13.5 million last month and 12.9 million last year, based chiefly on preliminary data from the Ministry of Agriculture. Yield remains essentially unchanged from last month at 1.02 tons per hectare, against 0.97 tons per hectare last year. June precipitation was minimal - less than 50 percent of normal in a substantial portion of the prime spring wheat zone in north-central Kazakhstan - but temperatures were not excessively high. Final yield will depend largely on precipitation during July and August. Spring wheat comprises over 95 percent of Kazakhstan's wheat output. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| May 19 2009 | World 2009/10 Crop Area and Production Forecasts |
The initial USDA country-level area and production estimates for 2009/10 grains, oilseeds, andcotton are provided this month. In previous years, only the initial grain estimates were releasedin May, but this year estimates for oilseeds and cotton are provided as well.World wheat area for 2009/10 is estimated at 224 million hectares, down less than 1 percentfrom last year. International prices in September 2008, when many Northern Hemisphere wheatproducers were deciding if they would plant, had declined from a year earlier while prices forcorn and soybeans were stronger. Wheat production is forecast at 658 million metric tons, down25 million tons from 2008/09, when excellent growing conditions occurred in many of the majorproducers.World corn area is forecast at 156 million hectares for 2009/10, unchanged from the previousyear. Reports of farmers foregoing corn planting because of high input costs have been receivedfrom many countries. Corn area is not increasing even though corn prices were high relative towheat, and to a lesser extent soybean, during December to February when many farmers weremaking their corn planting decisions. Corn production is forecast virtually unchanged at 788million tons as corn planting in the Northern Hemisphere is underway.World soybean area is forecast at 99 million hectares up 2 million. Production is forecast at 242million tons, up 29 million from 2008/09. Much of the increase results from an expectation ofrecovery in Argentina and Brazil which suffered from extreme drought in major producing areas.World international soybean/corn price ratios from October through December favored corn, buthigher production costs have favored soybeans, which require fewer inputs. (For moreinformation, contact Paul Provance 202-720-0873.)
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| Sep 12 2008 | Kazakhstan: Estimated Wheat Output Down Nearly 30 Percent from Last Year |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2008/09 at 12.7 million tons, down 0.8million or 6 percent from last month and down 3.9 million or 23 percent from last year. Area isestimated at 13.3 million hectares against 12.8 million last year. The grain harvest was about 60percent complete as of September 4, and preliminary yield data indicate sharp yield decreases inall three major wheat-production territories of north-central Kazakhstan: Kostanai, Akmola, andNorth Kazakhstan. The reduction in yield is attributed chiefly to persistent dryness, especially inAkmola where yield is likely to drop by about 35 percent from last year. Note, however, that theyear-to-year decreases are exaggerated somewhat by last year's unusually high harvest, and thatestimated wheat production for 2008/09 is actually 0.2 million tons above the 5-year average.(For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Aug 12 2008 | Kazakhstan: Localized Dryness Reduces Wheat Yield Prospects |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2008/09 at 13.5 million tons, down 0.5 million or 4 percent from last month and down 3.1 million or 19 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 13.0 million hectares against 12.8 million last year. Dryness in north-central Kazakhstan is likely to reduce yield substantially compared to last year's bumper crop, but the forecast yield of 1.04 tons per hectare matches the average of the past five years. Satellitederived vegetative indices indicate below-normal crop conditions in Akmola and North Kazakhstan territories but more favorable conditions in Kostanai. These three territories account for about 80 percent of the country's wheat output. The harvest of spring wheat typically begins in late August. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Feb 8 2008 | Kazakhstan: Highest Wheat Output in Fifteen Years |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2007/08 at 16.6 million tons, up 0.6 million from last month and up 3.1 million from last year. This is the largest wheat harvest since the 18.3-million-ton crop of 1992/93. The month-to-month increase is based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture. Area is estimated at 12.8 million hectares, the highest level in 14 years, and yield is estimated at a near-record 1.30 tons per hectare. Production benefited from favorable weather during the growing season and a continuing improvement in technology - including the increased use of elite planting seed - fueled by government subsidies to the agricultural sector. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Oct 12 2007 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Highest Crop Output in 15 Years |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production at 16.0 million tons, up 2.0 million from lastmonth and up 2.5 million from last year. As in the neighboring Siberian District of Russia, theweather in Kazakhstans main wheat region was extremely favorable during both the growing'season and the harvest campaign. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate a 25-percentyear-to-year increase in total grain yield. Spring wheat accounts for over 95 percent of totalwheat production and about 80 percent of total grain production in Kazakhstan. (For moreinformation, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| May 12 2006 | Kazakhstan wheat production for 2006/07 |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2006/07 is forecast at 11.5 million tons, up 0.5 million from last year. Area is forecast at 11.8 million hectares, matching last year's level. Wheat area has remained fairly stable for the past five years following a 25-year decline during which the less productive farm land was taken out of production. Agricultural officials in Kazakhstan have recommended that farmers maintain wheat area at 10 to 12 million hectares and concentrate on increasing grain quality. Spring wheat comprises about 95 percent of the country's total wheat area, and 80 percent of total grain area. Spring-grain planting typically begins in mid-May and concludes in early June. Yield hinges largely on precipitation received from June through August.
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| Jan 1 2006 | Kazakhstan Wheat: Harvest Data Drops Crop Output |
The USDA estimates Kazakhstan wheat production for 2005/06 at 11.0 million tons, down 4 percent from last month, but up 11 percent from last year. The revision is based on preliminary harvest data from the State Statistical Agency, which reported harvested area at 11.8 million hectares, unchanged from last year. The yield of 0.93 tons per hectare dropped below the 5-year average of 1.0 ton per hectare, but was up 11 percent from last year, when drought reduced output in one of Kazakhstan's key grain-producing territories. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Dec 1 1996 | KAZAKSTAN: GRAIN SECTOR CONTINUES TO SUFFER SHORTAGES |
Kazakstan's 1996/97 grain harvest has ended. According to a recent report submitted by the USDA office in Almaty, the total-grain harvest will be only 11.0 to 12.0 million tons, far below the earlier Kazak Government forecast of 16.0 million, but better than last season's poor harvest of 9.4 million. (The 1995/96 crop was the lowest recorded in the past 30 years.) Wheat production is estimated at 8.0 million tons, up 23 percent from last season, while barley is estimated at 2.4 million, down slightly from 1995/96. Before the breakup of the Soviet Union, Kazakstan produced about 20.0 to 25.0 million tons of grain.
During the 1996/97 planting campaign, Kazak farmers sowed nearly 17.0 million hectares of grain of which 12.2 million were in wheat, 3.6 million in barley, and 440,000 in oats. The area planted was almost 2.0 million hectares lower than in 1995/96 due to inclement weather and farmers that chose not to plant about 0.8 million hectares in barley due to low feed grain prices. The amount of land planted in grain has been steadily declining since Kazakstan became independent.
Before 1991, Kazakstan sowed as much as 23.0 million hectares in wheat, barley, rye, and other cereals. In addition, fertilizer was readily available at minimal cost during the Soviet Era. After Kazakstan's independence, subsidies to agriculture were drastically reduced. As result, fewer farmers could afford the inputs necessary to support previous yield levels. Virtually all of the 6.0 million hectares taken out of production since 1991 are in areas with inferior soil. Experts from Kazakstan's agricultural academy claim that soil fertility in all of the main grain-growing regions has fallen 30 percent since 1965.
This season, summer drought in western Kazakstan damaged nearly 1.0 million hectares and reduced the yields of surviving crops. In the north, autumn rains and, in some areas, early snow meant smaller harvests--in some districts 30 percent of the crop was lost. Yields per hectare varied widely between the south and north. Compounding farmers' difficulties, Russia suspended electricity deliveries periodically this fall as a means of forcing Kazakstan's repayment of overdue electrical bills. The ensuing brownouts in the north meant that farmers often lacked electricity to clean and dry grain, causing even greater losses. Fuel shortages and poorly maintained equipment were also important factors in the reduced harvest. Crops sometimes were left to rot in the fields or poorly stored in crumbling silos.
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| Dec 1 1997 | KAZAKSTAN: WHEAT OUTPUT REVISED HIGHER, BARLEY PRODUCTION LOWER DUE TO HARVEST RESULTS |
Wheat production in Kazakstan for 1997/98 is estimated at 8.7 million tons, up 0.7 million from last month and up 12 percent from last year. Barley production is estimated at 2.6 million tons, down 0.4 million from last month and down 4 percent from last year. The revised estimates are based on a recent U.S. agricultural attache report from Almaty citing preliminary harvest results. Although wheat area dropped 6 percent this year to 11.5 million hectares, yields rebounded substantially, reflecting improved conditions in key grain-producing oblasts in north-central Kazakstan. However, drought had a negative effect on production in the southern fringe of the wheat belt and the overall yield for both wheat and barley remained below average.
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| Oct 1 1998 | KAZAKSTAN: WHEAT PRODUCTION REDUCED DUE TO DROUGHT |
Total grain production for Kazakstan during 1998/99 is forecast at 7.3 million tons, down from 12.5 million last year. The sharp year-to-year drop reflects a 17-percent reduction in estimated sown area and a 29-percent drop in forecast yield. Wheat production is estimated at 5.5 million tons, down 1.0 million from last month and down 3.5 million from last year. Barley output is estimated at 1.1 million tons, down 0.5 million from last month and 1.5 million from last year. Persistent drought, accompanied by extremely high temperatures, progressed eastward across Kazakstan's prime wheat-production region during June and July.
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| Nov 1 1998 | KAZAKSTAN: WHEAT PRODUCTION REDUCED AS YIELD IS CUT |
Wheat production for 1998/99 is estimated at 5.0 million tons, down 0.5 million from last month and down 4.0 million from last year. Estimated wheat area dropped 1.5 million hectares to10.0 million, due chiefly to continuing shortage of capital, seed, and operational machinery. Persistent drought and excessive heat slashed grain yield in the key production zone. The combination of low area and poor yield drove total grain production to the lowest level in over forty years.
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| Feb 1 2000 | Kazakstan: Wheat Production Skyrockets this Season |
Wheat production for 1999/2000 is estimated at 11.2 million tons, up 0.2 million from last month and up 6.5 million nearly 140 percent from last year. Coarse-grain output (slightly lower this month) doubled this year to an estimated 2.7 million tons, including 2.3 million tons of barley, despite a slight decrease in sown area. Yields benefitted from excellent weather throughout the growing season.
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| Aug 1 2000 | Kazakstan: Wheat and Barley Conditions Remain Favorable |
Wheat production in Kazakstan for 2000/01 is estimated at 8.0 million tons, up 1.0 million or 14 percent from last month, but down 3.2 million or 29 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 9.0 million hectares, unchanged from last month, but up 0.3 million or 3 percent from last year. Barley production is estimated at 2.0 million tons, up 0.5 million from last month, but down 0.3 million from last year. Area is estimated at 1.8 million hectares, unchanged from last month, but up 0.1 million or 6 percent from last year. Conditions have been consistently favorable in north-central Kazakstan, the main spring-grain production zone; however, yield is not expected to match the near-record output of last year, when growing conditions were nearly ideal.
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| Oct 1 2000 | Kazakstan: Wheat Harvest Reports Indicate Favorable Harvest Conditions |
Kazakstan wheat production form 2000/01 is estimated at 9.0 million tons, up 1.0 million or 13 percent from last month, but down 2.2 million or 20 percent from last year. Weather has been generally favorable for the harvest campaign, and yield prospects have improved from last month.
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| Nov 1 2000 | Kazakstan: Wheat Harvest Reports Indicate Favorable Harvest Conditions |
Kazakstan wheat production for 2000/01 is estimated at 9.5 million tons, up 0.5 million or 6 percent from last month, but down 1.7 million or 15 percent from last year. Although yield was down 22 percent from the near-record level achieved last year, estimated area increased nearly 9 percent, to 9.5 million hectares. Grain crops benefitted this year from generally favorable weather during the growing season and harvest campaign.
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| Feb 1 2001 | Kazakstan: Statistical Agency Announces Preliminary Wheat Harvest Results |
Kazakstan wheat production for 2000/01 is estimated at 9.1 million tons, down 0.4 million or 4 percent from last month and down 2.1 million or 19 percent from last year. The reduction in estimated production is based on preliminary harvest data released by Kazakstans national statistical agency. Crop conditions were relatively good this season: yield is estimated at 0.96 tons per hectare, 25 percent below last years near-record but nearly 30 percent above the average of the past five years.
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| May 1 2001 | Kazakstan: Level Prices and Costly Inputs Hold Output Level |
Wheat and barley production for 2001/02 is forecast at 9.0 and 1.7 million tons respectively, roughly the same as last years output. Citing uncertainty over the price and availability of fuel and continuing shortages of machinery and spare parts, the U.S. agricultural attache in Almaty forecasts that wheat area will drop from 10.5 to 10.0 million hectares. Wheat yield is projected at 0.9 tons per hectare, slightly above average. Although March and April were unusually dry in Kazakstans main grain producing region, yield hinges largely on June and July precipitation.
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| Aug 1 2001 | Kazakstan: Favorable Weather Boosts Yield Potential for Spring Wheat |
Wheat production for 2001/02 is estimated at 11.0 million tons, up 2.0 million or 22 percent from last month and up 1.9 million or 21 percent from last year. Spring wheat in north-central Kazakstan, the key wheat-production zone, benefitted from favorable precipitation during June and July, and conditions are reportedly much better than last year.
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| Nov 1 2001 | Kazakstan: Farmers Complete Grain Harvest |
Wheat production for 2001/02 is estimated at 13.0 million tons, up 2.0 million or 18 percent from last month and up 3.9 million or 43 percent from last year. Despite rain during the final stages of the campaign, harvest weather was generally good and yields were high following excellent weather throughout the growing season. Barley production is estimated at 2.3 million tons, up 0.3 million or 15 percent from last month and up 0.6 million or 37 percent from last year.
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| May 1 2002 | Kazakhstan: Wheat Production Forecast to Drop Slightly |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2002/03 is estimated at 11.0 million tons, down 1.7 million or 13 percent from last year. Area is estimated at 11.0 million hectares against 10.7 million last year, and yield is forecast slightly above the 5-year average at 1.0 ton per hectare. According to the U.S. agricultural attaché in Almaty, fertilizer use has increased slightly over the past two years but remains below optimal levels, and farmers continue to struggle with an increasing shortage of planting and harvesting machinery. Wheat yield in Kazakhstan typically hinges largely on the amount of precipitation received from June through August.
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| Aug 1 2002 | Kazakstan: Good Conditions for Spring Wheat |
Kazakstan wheat production for 2002/03 is estimated at 12.0 million tons, up 1.0 million or 9 percent from last month but down 0.7 million or 6 percent from last year. The spring wheat crop has benefited from generally favorable weather in north-central Kazakstan, the main grain region. Precipitation has been adequate, and the crop was not subject to heat stress during the flowering stage
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| Oct 1 1999 | KAZAKSTAN: WHEAT YIELD REBOUNDS FROM LAST YEAR |
Wheat production is estimated at 7.5 million tons, up 1.0 million from last month and up 2.8 million from last year. According to harvest-progress reports, over 8 million tons of grain had been gathered as of September 23 with one-third of the sown area remaining to be harvested. Weather was generally favorable throughout the growing season in northern Kazakstan, the countrys prime wheat-production region. The preliminary harvest results indicate that locust damage was less severe than earlier official reports had suggested.
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| Nov 1 1999 | KAZAKSTAN: HARVEST REBOUNDS FROM LAST YEAR |
Kazakstans wheat production during 1999/2000 is estimated at 11.0 million tons, up 3.5 million from last month and up 6.3 million from last year. Preliminary harvest-progress reports indicate that yield jumped over 100 percent from last year. The crop benefitted from nearly ideal weather, both throughout the growing season and during the harvest campaign, and from support to farms from grain-trading companies, largely in the form of credit, seed, and fuel. In addition, locust damage was less severe than earlier official reports had suggested. Also, barley production increased this month to 2.5 million tons, up 1.5 million from last month and up 127 percent from last season. Both area and yield are higher.
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| Nov 1 2002 | Kazakhstan Wheat Production Exceeds Last Year on Higher Area |
Kazakhstan wheat production for 2002/03 is estimated at 13.0 million tons, up 1.0 million or 8
percent from last month and up 0.3 million or 2 percent from last year. Estimated yield is down
only 5 percent from last years above-average 1.19 tons per hectare, and area increased from 10.7
million to 11.5 million hectares, boosting output to a 10-year high.
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| Oct 1 2003 | Kazakstan: 2003/04 Wheat Harvest Drawing to a Close, Yields Above Average |
Kazakstan wheat production for 2003/04 is estimated at 12.0 million tons, up 0.5 million or 4 percent from last month, but down 0.6 million or 5 percent from last years above-average crop. Area is estimated at 11.5 million hectares, unchanged from last year. According to Ministry of Agriculture reports, farmers had gathered 16.4 million tons of grain as of September 30, with harvest roughly 93 percent complete. Wheat typically comprises about 80 percent of total grain production in Kazakstan. For the second consecutive year, grain yield benefited from consistently favorable weather in north-central Kazakstan, the countrys main production zone. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| Sep 1 2004 | Kazakstan: Drought Reduces Spring Grain Prospects |
The USDA estimates Kazakstan wheat production for 2004/05 at 10.0 million tons, down 2.0 million from last month and down 1.5 million from last year. Barley production is estimated at 1.5 million tons, down 0.5 million from last month and down 0.5 million from last year. Spring wheat accounts for 95 percent of the countrys total wheat output, and spring barley for virtually all of the barley. Localized drought has reduced the yield potential of crops in north-central Kazakstan, where 75 percent of the countrys wheat and barley is grown. The hot, dry weather accelerated crop development this year, and harvest in the key northern regions began 2 weeks earlier than normal. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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| May 1 2005 | Kazakhstans grain production for 2005/06 is forecast at 15.0 |
Kazakhstans grain production for 2005/06 is forecast at 15.0 (12.4 million tons last year), including 11.5 (10.0) million wheat. Grain area is forecast at 14.2 (14.2) million hectares, including 11.5 (11.8) million wheat. Wheat area has been increasing modestly but fairly steadily since 1999. Although yield dropped last year following persistent drought in the countrys main wheat zone, grain production has benefited in recent years from an improvement in crop-management practices fueled by growth in government subsidies to agriculture. The preliminary yield forecast for wheat is set at 1.00 ton per hectare, the 5-year average. Final yield depends mostly on precipitation from June through August. (For more information, contact Mark Lindeman at 202-690-0143.)
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